Former Dr. Phillips Star Transferring To Georgia

Wilkins spent his first two seasons at North Carolina State before declaring for the NBA draft after this past season. But when he decided to return to school -- fearing he would go undrafted -- Wolfpack Coach Herb Sendek said Wilkins wasn't welcome back with the program.

Wilkins' uncle, Dominique, was a star player for Georgia in the early 1980s.

Sportsline said a Georgia spokesman couldn't comment because Wilkins wasn't enrolled, but he did confirm that Wilkins had applied for admission, which is considered a formality in this situation.

Wilkins will have to sit out the 2001-02 season under NCAA rules and will have two years' eligibility starting in 2002-03.

Wilkins was a Parade magazine All-American after his senior season at Dr. Phillips and played extensively at N.C. State. But Sendek cited a poor attitude and criticism of the program by Damien's father, former NBA player Gerald Wilkins, as reasons not to accept Damien back onto his squad.

Wilkins, a 6-foot-6 swingman, has good athleticism, but NBA scouts weren't impressed with his ballhandling or his outside shooting. He averaged 11.7 points (on 40.8 percent shooting) and 5.8 rebounds for N.C. State last season.